These are the words of encouragement of DILG Director for Bureau of Local Governance and Supervision (BLGS), Atty. Odilon Pasaraba, CESO V, the guest of honor during the 2nd Barangay Summit hosted by Mayor Ferdie Estrella in Baliwag, attended by at least 400 barangay key figures last March 12, 2018 at the Baliwag Star Arena.

In the said summit, Mayor Estrella announced the search for Baliwag Barangay BIDA (Best Initiatives/ Initiators for Development Award), designed to honor and recognize the best practices in the barangays, and the individuals who stepped up to exemplify the best qualities and outstanding performance of being a barangay official or volunteer.

“We are now accepting entries and nominations for best barangay practices and outstanding barangay officials and workers in Baliwag who will constitute our first batch of Barangay BIDA winners,” the local chief executive said.

Barangay BIDA, launched during the Araw ng Barangay in May 2017, is set to recognize barangay initiatives anchored on good financial housekeeping, social protection, disaster preparedness, peace and order, business friendliness and competitiveness, and environmental protection.

Aside from programs, the Municipal Government will also cite the most outstanding barangay chairman, barangay councilor, secretary, treasurer, Lingkod Lingap sa Nayon, Barangay Health Worker, Mother Leader, and Tanod in this awards program.

According to Estrella, all winners will receive plaque of recognition and cash incentive, in an awarding ceremony this coming May, to coincide with the Buntal Festival Celebration. Deadline for submission is on April 6, 2018.

Meanwhile, aside from opening the search for Barangay BIDA, the same occasion served as the venue to launch the Barangay Wifi, giving free internet access to 14 barangays to date. Mayor Estrella eyes full coverage of free wifi for the 27 barangays by the end of this year.

Moreover, 14 barangays with outstanding performance in nutrition were also given free weighing scale to complement the implementation of their efforts to promote good nutrition.

Estrella, a former barangay chairman before he became the mayor of Baliwag, always give priority to barangays, as he deemed the cooperation of these political units important in the successful implementation of the municipal programs.

Despite possible movement of officials after the upcoming barangay elections, the goal of ensuring sustainability inpracticing good governance weighed more important for Mayor Estrella who convened the local officials of Baliwag including elected barangay officials, community workers, Sectoral Presidents and CSO representatives in this two day summit.

Anchored on the theme “Kapit-bisig sa tuluy-tuloy na Serbisyong May Malasakit”, Estrella said that this activity is designed to align the initiatives of the barangays with the direction of the municipal government.

“We are, again, hoping that this summit will address the gaps in the efficient delivery of services, and will elevate the consciousness of the barangay leaders and workers when it comes to compliance with new implementing policies in financial management and transparency, disaster preparedness, social protection, drug cleared barangays, and rabies control.

The Local Government of Baliwag and SM City Baliwag partnered to highlight the various contributions pioneered by Baliwagenyos that shaped the landscape of their respective industries. This year’s Buntal Festival 2017 has the theme, Galing ng Baliwagenyo, Dangal ng Pilipino, most likely culled from Dugong Baliwag Pusong Baliwag. Among those that are expected to be […]